A Hyderabad resident shows a photograph of his relatives who were killed in a bus accident in Saudi Arabia’s Medina, that killed 45 Indian pilgrims.
| Photo Credit: PTI
A three-member delegation from Telangana has been in consultation with the Consul General of India in Saudi Arabia and other officials on DNA testing procedures, sample matching and logistical support following the death of 45 Indian pilgrims, including 18 from Hyderabad, in a bus accident near Medina, Secretary for Minorities Welfare B. Shafiullah told The Hindu.
Mr. Shafiullah, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, said on Wednesday that the delegation — comprising himself, Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin and Nampally MLA Mohammed Majid Hussain — has held a series of meetings with Ministry of External Affairs officials, who are in continuous discussions with Saudi authorities.
According to Mr. Shafiullah, the bodies of the victims are currently placed in three different hospitals in Saudi Arabia. He said that since their arrival, the delegation has focussing on completing the required paperwork and ensuring that identification protocols are carried out without delay.
DNA tests will be conducted wherever necessary to confirm identity, he said. Once the results are available, no-objection certificates will be obtained from families in Hyderabad to ascertain their preference for repatriation or burial in Saudi Arabia. “It is a very sad moment for all of us. Unfortunately, all the bodies are charred and will require DNA testing to ascertain identity,” he said.
Mr. Shafiullah said the State government is in regular contact with the victims’ families and that all possible support will be extended. “Our priority is to ensure that the families face no procedural difficulties during this period of immense grief,” he said.
Published – November 19, 2025 09:14 pm IST
